SSEN Transmission has submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council for the Hurlie 400kV substation project.
The project is a key element of the transmission operator’s proposed Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line (OHL) connection, and will help deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK – helping meet Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions.
It will involve construction of a new outdoor 400kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation – from where it will connect to the Kintore to Tealing OHL and other clean power projects.
The proposed location in Fetteresso Forest was selected after SSEN Transmission confirmed it was no longer progressing plans to develop a new substation at Fiddes in the Mearns, in response to feedback from local communities.
The new site, known as Hurlie, lies close to the existing Fetteresso substation and was identified as the best alternative option from an environmental and technical perspective.
A series of pre-application consultation events gave members of the public a further opportunity to help shape the substation proposals, leading to a reduction in its size.
Other features include landscape and screening measures to reduce visual impact, a detailed plan for construction traffic that seeks to minimise impact on the local road network, and proposals for biodiversity net gain.
Calum Grant, senior development project manager from SSEN Transmission, said: “The Hurlie substation is a key part of our proposals for a new 400kV overhead line between Kintore and Tealing, supporting the delivery of 2030 offshore wind generation targets set by the UK and Scottish Governments.
“Our proposals have sought to take account of the views of the local community with whom we have consulted extensively – indeed, community feedback led us to move the project from its original proposed location at Fiddes to the current site.
“In selecting this location we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective, and we would like to thank those who provided feedback as part of our pre-application consultation events which helped shape our proposals.
“Investing to upgrade our electricity transmission network is crucial if we are to achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives, and it’s also a major driver of jobs and economic activity locally and across the north of Scotland.
“We now look forward to working with Aberdeenshire Council and stakeholders in the lead up to determining the planning application.”
More information on the Hurlie 400kV substation project is available on our project webpage Hurlie 400kV substation - SSEN Transmission.
Click here to access the planning application on the Aberdeenshire Council website.